Sen. Grassley Issues Statement on Draft Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following statement on the discussion draft of the Senate health care bill:

"Congress and the American people have been struggling with the problems with Obamacare since 2010.

"The Obamacare situation is bad for Iowans in the individual market, including farmers, small business owners, and others.

"They're hit hard by soaring Obamacare premium increases. Premiums went up by as much as 43 percent from 2016 to 2017. Now, because of the way Obamacare is designed, Iowans face tremendous uncertainty and anxiety about even having access to a plan in 2018.

"The need to act is pressing.

"The Senate discussion draft is available for everyone to review. I'm studying it. I'm looking at the ways it would help Iowans affected by Obamacare's failures. There will be a full debate before the Senate, with the ability for senators of both parties to offer amendments. We'll know the official cost estimate soon. I'm glad this process is moving forward, given the problems that continue to get worse with the current law."

The chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions outlined key points in the discussion draft in his statement, available here.( https://www.help.senate.gov/chair/newsroom/press/senator-alexander-on-discussion-draft-of-senate-health-care-bill_)

A summary of the discussion draft from the Budget Committee is available here.( https://www.budget.senate.gov/bettercare)

The discussion draft bill text is available here.( https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/SENATEHEALTHCARE.pdf)